Sermons on Surprise:

Battling And Building

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Nov 19, 2010

They had a tool in one hand and a sword in the other. They had to multitask and keep one eye on the work and the other eye on the enemy. Link inc. to formatted text, audio/video, PowerPoint.

Battling and Building Nehemiah 4:11-23 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/BattlingBuilding.html Building is a battle. Just finding good weather is tough for roofers. It's too hot or too cold, it's raining or there's frost and it's too slippery. It's too steep!! Or the Pastor is too demanding!!! ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 4:11-23

Denomination: Baptist

Be Shrewd!

Contributed by David Trexler on Dec 1, 2007

Jesus is calling us to start using more of our wits, our brains, our craftiness, our shrewdness that we use to secure our position on earth, and start using these same gifts to the glory of God.

Sermon for Luke 16:1-13 September 23rd 2007 What do you think guys and gals? Do you want to stick with the text we are dealt today, or maybe search through the Bible and pick one that perhaps is a little easier, at least not quite as challenging? Because, basically every single commentary, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:1-13

Denomination: Lutheran

Planet In Crisis Series

Contributed by Coz Von on Jul 18, 2016

You may have shrugged it off when you read about it in the newspaper or heard about it on TV. But it's real, and it fulfills Bible prophecy.

World leaders know that our planet is in a heap of trouble. For years, analysts, thought leaders, and strategists have been warning, with increasing stridency, about a perfect storm of challenges that threaten our global economy, our global society, and our relative peace. These analysts and ...read more

Scripture: Mark 13:7, John 14:1-3

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Abimelech Appraised Of Gaal’s Move Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Feb 25, 2020

This rebellious speech by Gaal was reported to Abimelech by the town-prefect Zebul, who sent messengers to him, either through deceit or secrecy or both, not allowing anyone to know that he sent them.

Chapter 42 Abimelech Appraised of Gaal’s Move [Judges 9.30-9.33] Scripture: Judges 9:30-33 (KJV) 30 And when Zebul the ruler of the city heard the words of Gaal the son of Ebed, his anger was kindled. 31 And he sent messengers unto Abimelech privily, saying, Behold, Gaal the son of Ebed ...read more

Scripture: Judges 9:30-33

Denomination: Baptist

A Visitor In The Dark

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Mar 3, 2020

What does it mean to be born again? How are we born of water and the Spirit? Let’s understand the newness of a spirit life in John 3:1-17.

What does it mean to be born again? How are we born of water and the Spirit? Let’s understand the newness of a spirit life in John 3:1-17. Nicodemus John 3:1 Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. Nicodemus was a senator in the Jewish ...read more

Scripture: John 3:1-17, John 3:16

Denomination: Baptist

Defending The Faith Sermon V: Embrace The Distinctiveness Of Christ As King Series

Contributed by Charles Cunningham on May 6, 2020

In times of upheaval, as the Christian Faith is attacked by unbelievers and scoffers, we Christians must separate ourselves from those that deny and defy the Lord God but we wholeheartedly embrace Christ as King and Lord.

IN TIMES LIKE THESE . . . CHRISTIANS EMBRACE THE DISTINCTIVENESS OF CHRIST AS KING Statistically, what’s true of Christianity worldwide is not true of Christianity in the USA. It is without a doubt true that our nation is like the rest of the world in that all have sinned ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 44:6-11, John 14:5-7

Ask And It Shall E Iven Series

Contributed by William Baeta on Aug 13, 2019

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened” (Luke 11:9-10)

Introduction: Our theme for today’s sermon is “ask and it shall be given”. It is a teaching on prayer and its various dimensions that include the need to pray, the way to pray and the results to expect. Prayer is the heartbeat of the believer and results from an intimate relationship with God. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 11:1-13, Genesis 18:20-32

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

If God Wills

Contributed by Benjamin Utomo on Jan 1, 2022

Many live under the illusion that we'll be able to live the good life with the right strategy, the proper techniques, and enough discipline. The reality? James says we are not in control of our lives.

Opening: One day, a young man saw a sign at a restaurant that said, "Free Lunch Tomorrow." The next day he brought his friends to have lunch at the restaurant. When they finished eating, a waiter came to him with the bill of $100 to pay. He was surprised and didn't want to pay. He ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 4:13-16, Proverbs 21:5, Luke 14:28, Proverbs 27:1, Luke 12:13-21  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Ambush

Contributed by John Williams Iii on Mar 3, 2021

Satan often seeks to strike from a hidden position. Whether hidden and concealed or hidden in plain sight Satan seeks to ambush us. We can only be victorious through Jesus Christ.

AMBUSH (2016) Text: Luke 4:1 – 13 As a student pastor, I had my first confirmands for a confirmation class. We were having a session, imitating how some of the very first Christians lived with the threat of persecution, one of the leaders jumped in the door and said with a ...read more

Scripture: Luke 4:1-13

Denomination: United Methodist

"God’s Vision For His Church- Koinonia” Series

Contributed by Clarence Eisberg on Jun 8, 2022

The sermon opens with an illustration of people attending a foot ball game or a basketball game sitting next to each other...They come in as strangers and leave as strangers. The Church must be different. some illustrations from Max Lucado, & others.

In Jesus Holy Name June 12, 2022 Text: Acts 2:42 Redeemer Lutheran “God’s Vision for His Church- Koinonia” This is a very big week for Basketball fans. The Boston Celtics and San Francisco Warriors are playing for the National Championship. Warrior fans will ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:42, Acts 2:22-42

Denomination: Lutheran

The Unexpected Jesus (Sermon 2) Defying Expectations Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Sep 4, 2024

Throughout His earthly ministry, Jesus consistently defied expectations. Whether it was the religious leaders of the day, the multitudes, or even His own disciples, Jesus was always more than people anticipated.

The Unexpected Jesus (Sermon 2) Defying Expectations Introduction Today, I want to take you on a journey to explore a profound and often surprising aspect of our Saviour—what I like to call "The Unexpected Jesus." Throughout His earthly ministry, Jesus consistently defied expectations. ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:21-22, Matthew 28:18, Mark 1:40-42, Luke 7:13, Isaiah 53:3-5, Philippians 2:6-8  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Life, Death & Living For God Series

Contributed by Steven Buhr on Aug 31, 2023

Have you suffered for your faith, or lack of it? If I were to ask you what your personal view of suffering is in light of Scripture, how would you answer; could we answer?

Life, Death & Living for God A study through Peter August 27, 2023 Who here has suffered in some way? Would you say that you’ve suffered greatly? Have you suffered justly, in other words, did you deserve to suffer? Have you suffered for your faith, or lack of it? If I were to ask you what ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Who Are You To Judge? #1 Series

Contributed by Robert Butler on Jul 26, 2021

Judgement of the eternal status of another is never our responsibility. Our responsibility is to choose our path daily.

This week we begin a summer series entitled, Tell Me A Story. “Tell me a Story” is a simple way to reference Jesus' use of parables to illustrate a moral or spiritual lesson. Jesus told 36 different short stories in the gospels. Telling stories is one of the most powerful means that leaders ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:24-30, Matthew 13:43

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Achan's Great Cover Up

Contributed by Maurice Brown on Mar 29, 2001

Be sure your sins will find you out!

INTRODUCTION A. The Book of Joshua is a Book of Victory 1. It reminds us that Faith is the Victory that overcomes the world 2. Joshua leads God’s People to victory over the enemies in the land B. Jesus Christ is our Joshua (Yahweh is Salvation) 1. When ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 7:1-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A Samaritan Reject Series

Contributed by Pb Stetser on May 7, 2002

This is the first of a 3 part series on What Can I Learn From A Reject? (Part 1)

As is the case with all my messages, I am glad to provide my Power Point slides so you can use them as a help for your own. The Salvation Army Herkimer, NY John 4:4-9 4 (Jesus) had to go through Samaria on the way (to Galilee). 5 Eventually he came to the Samaritan village of Sychar, near the ...read more

Scripture: John 4:4-9

Denomination: Holiness